It seems that the Lord still had plans for Israel, for while Saul was still on the throne, Samuel anointed David to be king. David, however, was still a boy keeping track of his father's flocks, living on the edge of the wild. He at one time killed a lion with his bare hands because the lion threatened the sheep and but he was also gentle, loving the out-of-doors and could sit on a rock and play his harp without being worried about the time spent there for his spirit was one with His God. And when Samuel saw him, the Lord told him....this is the one.
Now David was enthralled with the wars being fought for his country and longed to fight just as his brothers were doing, however his father would not allow it. But, there did come a day when Jesse, needed someone to take some food to his elder sons, and no one was available except David. David was thrilled as he had heard that the Philistines had a champion who was over nine feet tall! "I would like to see that man and if needed, fight him!
The giant was called Goliath and for forty days he had been bragging about his fighting skills at the front of the line between the two armies. On hearing this bragging, all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. No one would step forward to fight this giant and so no one was doing battle of any kind.
Then, David came forward to the campgrounds to bring the goods from his father. Most of the men were waiting to see who would volunteer to fight this battle where the giant waited, but all were reluctant because they were afraid. David could see the giant up on the opposite hill and he drew closer.
Now, King Saul, too, was reluctant to fight the giant, so offered a prize, "To any man who slays the giant, I give my daughter in marriage!" he said. Then he noticed David, and tried to get him to put on a soldiers gear for protection, but David showed him, "This is much too large. I need freedom, not bulk. Please, give me permission to fight this man. He can not be harder to fight than a lion!" And Saul gave in. His brothers, too, tried to dissuade him, but he was determined to fight the giant!
Meanwhile, the Philistine came closer to David. He looked David over and saw he was only a boy, and he despised him. "Am I a dog, that you come at me with stick? Come here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beast of the field!"
David answered the Philistine, "You come against me with a sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. And He will give all of you into our hands!"
The Philistine moved closer to attack and David reached into his bag and took a stone from it. He then slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. When the Philistines saw their hero was dead, they turned... and ran. David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem.
Jonathan, Saul's son, was filled with admiration for David, and the two became fast friends, the beginning of a true friendship. More of this friendship to come, and more of Saul's disintegration, also. There is much to be learned from these three men.
Looking forward to the next blog on Monday!
Jo INMN
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